Houston television reporter Nicole Nielsen has begun maternity leave earlier than planned after welcoming her baby boy several weeks before his expected arrival.
Nielsen, who reports on Houston’s Heights neighborhood for KPRC, joined the station in March 2026.
The journalist had expected to remain on the job longer, but her son’s early birth prompted her to step away from the anchor desk ahead of schedule.
Sharing a photo of her growing family on social media, Nielsen revealed that the baby arrived three weeks ahead of his due date.
She plans to remain off the air for about three months and is expected to return to KPRC in February.
“Adding a new title to my résumé,” Nielsen wrote. “Our sweet baby boy decided to make his arrival three weeks early, and life has been a whirlwind ever since.”
She explained that the unexpected delivery was the reason she suddenly went quiet midway through the previous week as the family adjusted to life with a newborn.
“We are absolutely overjoyed and completely in love,” she said, while acknowledging that taking time away from a job she “loves” had been challenging.
KPRC reporter Nicole Nielsen, who covers Houston’s Heights neighborhood, started maternity leave early after her baby arrived three weeks before his due date
Nielsen joined the Houston news station in March 2026
Despite missing her regular reporting duties, Nielsen said her immediate focus is on enjoying this special time with her family.
“I also know this is time with my little family that I’ll never get back,” she wrote.
The reporter also offered followers a look at how she prepared for her time away from KPRC.
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In a Facebook post, she introduced David, the producer who works with her on the 6 p.m. newscast.
According to Nielsen, David will help oversee her social media accounts while she is on maternity leave.
She added that she spent the past several months creating material for viewers to enjoy during her absence.
The prepared posts will feature neighborhood updates, local stories and entertaining facts, she said.
“We’re excited to be able to keep the page active while I’m out,” Nielsen added.
Nielsen shared details about her maternity-leave plans and introduced viewers to David, the producer who will help manage her Instagram account
Although leaving work was difficult, Nielsen said she is eager to make the most of her time with her family
Before joining KPRC, Nielsen spent six years at CBS News Texas, also known as KTVT, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. During that time, she worked as a reporter, fill-in anchor and traffic anchor.
The University of Oklahoma graduate has also received recognition from the Broadcast Education Association and the National Broadcasting Society.
Earlier in her career, Nielsen interned with outlets including WFAA 8 and News 9 KWTV in Oklahoma City before accepting a full-time position with CBS Texas.
As Nielsen settles into life with her newborn, another KPRC journalist returned to work last week, Chron reported.
Caroline Brown, KPRC’s meteorologist, came back to the station after spending three months at home with her family.
Brown welcomed her second child, George David Chadderdon, on August 6, 2026. Her older son, JJ, was born in February 2025.